Vikings Future QB1 JJ McCarthy Gives Update on His Injury Recovery

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JJ McCarthy : Minnesota Vikings Training Camp
Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

The last time we heard from JJ McCarthy, he was in the Minnesota Vikings locker room back in early September, telling media members how he was feeling, following a meniscus tear and resulting knee repair surgery that ended his rookie season. At the time, things were good, but his recovery hadn’t even really gotten started yet.

In the nearly two months that have passed since McCarthy spoke with media that day, we’ve seen the Vikings future QB1 return to the sideline with his teammates, before he suffered a setback and had to undergo another procedure, (PRP injection) after his knee showed unexpected swelling during rehab.

Then, this week, the Minnesota Vikings made it clear that they are keeping all 2025 QB options open, by signing Daniel Jones for a two-plus month trial run, after he was waived by the New York Giants a week earlier.

JJ McCarthy injury update

So, how is JJ McCarthy doing now, about ? Well, the 21-year-old gave his own update, via the L.A.B. Podcast, hosted by fellow Michigan alum (TE) Jake Butt. During his appearance, McCarthy noted that his knee is “feeling fantastic”, and that his recent PRP injection wasn’t ideal, but that it was “part of the process”.

“The knee is doing fantastic. It’s on the road that they told me it was going to be on, which is up and down, upside down, sideways, backwards, all the way around. The PRP [injection], got that done. Going in there and having to get cut open wasn’t great. But it’s alright, because it’s all a part of the process and I know I’m in a good spot right now.”

JJ McCarthy on his injury recovery – The L.O.B. Podcast

It is interesting to hear JJ McCarthy describe his recent knee procedure as being “cut open”, especially after the Minnesota Vikings PR department tried so hard to convinced us that his most recent procedure was non-invasive.

What can Minnesota Vikings fans take away from McCarthy’s update?

At this point, we are waiting for a timeline update on the 2024 No. 10 overall draft pick. He is still expected to return, at some point before the 2025 season. But will that be this summer, for offseason workouts and minicamp? Or, are we crossing our fingers for a return by training camp… or the first preseason game.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Can Pretty Much Clinch a Playoff Spot vs Cardinals

I’m not sure the Minnesota Vikings can answer that question, which is why they are so interested in Daniel Jones, who looks like a better bridge option than Sam Darnold, just based on his time before putting on purple.

Unfortunately, we only got to see JJ McCarthy play in one mythic exhibition game vs the Las Vegas Raiders, where he completed 11-of-17 passes (65.7%) for 188 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.

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